MERRICKVILLE – From aircraft structural repair to custom furniture design, Mike and Carolynn Rancourt have turned a passion into a business.

“Carolynn and I have always been artistic, creative people; we’ve always done our own renovations, interior design and antique refinishing,” said Mike.

But the leap into furniture manufacturing all started with their first grandchild.

“I had the idea of building a unique bunk bed for our first grandchild,” said Mike.

Using a Bell 206 Helicopter airframe, the couple created a fun adjustable bunk bed in primary colours complete with pink seats inside the Helicopter body facing a television where the console would normally be.

During that process the couple started looking at all the pieces of aircraft they had in the workshop of their main business, M.R. Airframe, an aircraft structural repair business, and imagining how they could be adapted to other uses.

That’s how Craviations, a luxury design furniture business, was born.

“I was looking at the back seat area from a jet ranger helicopter and I thought it would make a great lounger,” said Carolynn.

Their workshop was, they soon discovered, a treasure trove of ideas and supplies.

“The parts of aircraft are time expired; they can only fly so many hours before they have to be replaced no matter what condition they’re in, or they may be damaged beyond cost repair,” explained Mike.

Their work is meticulous, and a lot of it is custom.

It’s very much a joint venture, with both engaging in the design of each piece together. Mike then takes on the sheet metal, welding and composite work, while Carolynn tackles a lot of the woodwork, sanding, polishing and upholstery.

“I love what I do. Being in sheet metal and structural repair is an art form, but it’s very prescribed, but with our furniture there are no rules,” said Mike.

What makes so many of the pieces they make unique is the combinations they create. One of their favourite pieces is the Radome Lounger.

“We took the nose off a British Aerospace 146 jet and set it on top of a portion of the back end of a Bell 206L Helicopter,” said Mike, adding that from there, it just made sense to paint the Union Jack on the nose section.

Not everything they make under the Craviations label is strictly functional; they’ve also had some fun along the way.

They took a Schweitzer 300 helicopter that had been used as a crop duster and re-imagined it as a time machine and photo booth, complete with purple and bling upholstery.

“It’s powered by imagination; it’ll go to any year you want and any place you want!” said Carolynn.

It was initially designed as a centrepiece for a steampunk-themed awards banquet at the Aviation Museum and has since found its way into parades and been used to raise funds for charity.

The Craviations workshop and soon-to-open gallery are located on Snowdon Drive in Merrickville. The couple decided to locate in Merrickville largely because of its proximity to Ottawa, Brockville, Smiths Falls and major highways.

“It gave us the opportunity to work from home and eliminate some stress,” said Carolynn.

Mike and Carolynn currently show some of their creations at Kendel Dezoete Designs Ltd. in Brockville, and have just placed a few pieces at RAW in Toronto.